Taxman

Lucky Dube · Taxman [1997]

TAXMAN

Lucky Dube



I pay my gardener

To clean up my garden

I pay my doctor

To check out da other ting

I pay my lawyer

To fight for my rights

And I pay my bodyguard

To guard my money

There' s only one man I pay

But I don' t know what I' m paying for

I' m talking about the taxman x3



Chorus: (x4)

What have you done for me lately

Mr taxman



You take from the rich

Take from the poor

You even take from me

Can' t understand it now

I pay for the police

To err..I don' t know why

'Cause if my dollar was good enough

There wouldn' t be so much crime

In the streets

They tell me you' re a fat man

And you always take and

Never give



Chorus till fade

Taxman

Lucky Dube's 'Taxman' stands as a defining anthem of South African township rap, released in 1997 on the album of the same name. The track delivers a biting social critique of the country's economic disparities and the burdens of taxation on the poor, delivered with Dube's signature melodic flow and unapologetic honesty. As a cornerstone of the 'township rap' genre, the song resonated deeply with its audience, becoming a staple of the era's sound that blended indigenous rhythms with global hip-hop sensibilities. Its enduring popularity highlights Dube's ability to translate complex socio-political realities into accessible, rhythmic storytelling that continues to influence contemporary African music.